Artwork Page for Statue of Gudea

Details / Information for Statue of Gudea

Statue of Gudea

c. 2144–2124 BCE
This object has related works. See

Mesopotamia, Neo-Sumerian, Iraq, Girsu

Medium
dolerite
Measurements
Overall: 126 x 55 x 36 cm (49 5/8 x 21 5/8 x 14 3/16 in.)
Weight: 300.731 kg (663 lbs.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1963.154
Public Domain
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Location
100 1916 Lobby
Print
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Did You Know?

Twice in the 20th century, this headless figure was wrongly "completed" with the head 1963.680, which comes from a similar sculpture.

Description

This headless figure’s clasped hands create a distinctive gesture that recurs frequently on more than 30 recorded statues of the Mesopotamian ruler Gudea. Between c. 2144–2124 BCE, Gudea ruled as ensi (governor) of the city-state of Lagash, located in modern-day Iraq. Scholars have identified more than 2,400 inscriptions that describe his reign, which included patronage of the arts and an extensive building program. Statues like this one would have been placed in temples as stand-ins for Gudea himself, demonstrating his devotion and piety.
Sculpture in dolerite, a white-speckled black rock, depicting a statue of a person standing, clasping their hands in front of their chest, the head broken off. They wear an ankle-length robe, squared over rounded, broad shoulders and with only a few lines indicating layers and creases. Their bare feet stand on a circular pedestal.

Statue of Gudea

c. 2144–2124 BCE

Mesopotamia, Neo-Sumerian, Iraq, Girsu

See Also

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